Queen B and I just returned from Shangi-La. "Your kisses take me to Shangri-La. Each kiss is magic. That makes my world a Shangri-La. A land of bluebirds and fountains...." Well, not exactly. Actually we've been visiting our friends Don and Sandy, whose homestead Kerkwood, is indeed, an almost mystical verdant hidden valley surrounded by hills, lush forests, and the music of birds. Nor will we be going back to 1974 and the all-time greatest hits of the Lettermen. Instead follow along as we visit our friends along the Maple River in southcentral Minnesota.
It was an beautiful day and on arrival our gracious hosts took us to Gustavous Adolphus College in St Peter. There we hiked a very nice arboreteum at the college. A gourmet fish dinner put on by Sandy followed and we made plans for the following day. The guys would go fishing for crappies on Lake Madison and the ladies would head off to Mankato for a "shop till you drop" outing of their own
The next day was again gorgeous with moderate temps, a slight overcast and breeze and cooperative fish. It couldn't have been any better!
That evening came the highlight of our visit. Don's "Safari Sevice" took us on a jeep ride along the maze of trails throughout the vast estate. There were colorful prairie regions, wooded river bottoms, ridges, tree forested hillsides and open uplands. Enjoy!!! 
Shangri-La? Indeed!
Indeed! What a beautiful place, and a wonderful adventure.
ReplyDeleteDo your friends rent out rooms? (to other bloggers?!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect getaway and wonderful place.
Absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful time you must have had. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf not Shangri-La, it sounds like it was pretty close! That looks like my kind of vacation - you must have had a great time!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a place! Looks like Shangri-La to me!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time in a great place. I like Lynne's comment.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing the landscape where you live. It is so different from Idaho's landscape. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Troutbirder, when I opened up your blog--I saw Was It Shangri-La? And then nothing but space. So I thought--hhmmmm, maybe this is just meant to make us think.
ReplyDeleteThen, I scrolled down and saw the pictures. Lovely place.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Your friend's home looks lovely! Loved seeing the area too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place. Maybe not shangri-la--maybe better.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Looks like it was a LOT of fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place. It sounds like the perfect get-away. Thanks for giving us a peek.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time!
ReplyDeleteTB: What a great trip through MN wonderful country.
ReplyDeleteHi troutbirder. Thanks for finding my blog at yankeeeyes. I read your profile and noticed that you are from Minnesota. But you are Catholic too? I thought that there were only Lutherans in Minnesota. Wait, I must be spending too much time listening to "A Prairie Home Companion!"
ReplyDeleteYour comment on the lack of Catholics in Tennessee brings up something that I have been thinking about for awhile. How can I blog on the South and not have mentioned the prevalence of "religion" here? Still working on that one, since it is such a complex issue, and my blog is anything but complex. I promise to address it soon (that means within the next year).
Your photos of Minnesota are beautiful. I had two great aunts who lived in St. Paul/Minneapolis, and seeing them brings back an earlier time for me. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. I will post more now that I know people are finding the blog.
--Clementine Moonflower